As always, we appreciate your feedback to help us to better serve the homeschooling community.
There were a couple of votes in last month's poll for brief descriptions on resource links. We will be working on accomplishing that in the next few months. Meanwhile, since we only got a couple of votes for a newsletter, we would like to know if there is a real interest in that since it involves quite a bit of work every month. Therefore, this month's poll asks how interested you would be in receiving a monthly newsletter from us. We would appreciate everyone's vote so we can assess the need.


Announcements

MONTHLY FACEBOOK PRIZE DRAWING
If you are on Facebook, be sure to "like" our page, The Connected Homeschool, to be entered into our monthly drawing for homeschool-oriented prizes. 
If you refer a friend and that friend also "likes" us, write on our wall or send us a message telling us who you referred and your name will be entered again into the drawing. 
If you are not on Facebook, send an email to theconnectedhomeschool@gmail.com and we will enter your name in the drawing, as well.

ANNOUNCING: NEW MWSU HOMESCHOOL COMMUNITY LISTSERV
In an effort to provide a convenient, safe vehicle by which homeschoolers can communicate and receive timely and accurate information useful to their efforts to homeschool, Dr. Cary D. Chevalier has initiated a homeschool listserv hosted by Missouri Western State University.  The list will be mastered by Dr. Chevalier. It is called hscommunity@list.missouriwestern.edu.
To subscribe, send a request directly to Dr. Chevalier at cchev@missouriwestern.edu.
The list will be monitored to make sure postings are appropriate to the mission of the list.  Questionable postings will be discussed with posters for clarification.
All information important to homeschoolers will be posted in a timely fashion to the listserv, including sources of homeschooling materials, activities for homeschoolers, activities at large that homeschoolers may wish to participate in.
Enjoy this outreach partnership service provided by MWSU, and if you have any questions or comments, send them to the listmaster cchev@missouriwestern.edu.

Listed below are some of the homeschooling events and activities in the 
St. Joseph, MO and Northwest Missouri area. 
Further down the page, you will find Recurring Events. 
You can also find all these and many others on the Calendar of Events page.

Homeschool Events and Activities

MWSU CHILDREN'S LIFETIME SPORTS ACADEMY
June 4-8, 2012
For children 8 to 12 years of age. The academy will be held from 1:30-5:15 pm each day on campus. Activities will be held outdoors, in the Looney Complex and the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex.The camp offers activities such as canoeing, archery, rappelling, water sports, swimming, fishing, gun safety, Frisbee golf, rock wall climbing and several other activities. Faculty and students in the HPER department will coordinate the activities. All equipment is furnished by Western. However, participants must furnish their own tennis shoes, swimming suits and towels.
To register, visit Missouri Western's website.

DREAM BIG READ! SUMMER READING PROGRAM
June 4th - July 29th, 2012
Check the libraries' websites for more information: Rolling Hills, St. Joseph.

YOU"RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN MUSICAL
June 15 - 24 • Potter Hall Theatre
Kick off the summer with the Peanuts gang! This beloved musical has all your favorite characters. Will Charlie Brown ever find the courage to talk to the little red-haired girl? Will Linus give up his blanket? Will Snoopy figure out the meaning of life…. from the roof of his doghouse? Don’t Miss It!
Bring the kids and picnic on Potter lawn before the show. Enjoy a sweet treat at our special extended intermission!
Click here to visit the website and order tickets.

***MOM'S COFFEE NIGHT***
Hazel's Gourmet Coffee & Tea Company
Tuesday, June 19th, 2012
4001 Frederick Ave., St. Joseph, MO
All homeschooling moms are invited to share an evening
of fun and fellowship the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30 p.m. - ?

LADIES HOME SCHOOL LUNCHEON
July 14th, 2012, 10:30-4:00p.m.
Calvary Chapel, Maryville (East on 16th, North on Dewey) 
Speakers:Jenny Dirks-"Getting Started"
Christie Petersen -"The Middle Years"
Debbie Derr -"High School"
*If you have curriculum that you would like to share with others, we will have tables set up for show-and-tell, curriculum sales, and free giveaways. 
*Please bring a side salad to share. 

SWIM LESSONS
Click here to download the flyer for Red Cross lessons and registration.
Click here to download the flyer for MWSU lessons.
Click here for the MWSU registration form.

HOMESCHOOL DAYS AT SCHLITTERBAHN KC WATERPARK
August 13-17, 2012
Home school groups gather on these special days for a great day together at the park at significant savings! Package includes:
 • All-Day Admission $19.99 + tax. SAVE $17.00!
• One free chaperone admission for every 15 paid admissions.
• No minimum ticket order.
Click here to download the flyer/order form.
Visit their website for more information.

HOMESCHOOL DAY AT WORLDS OF FUN/OCEANS OF FUN
August 17th, 2012
Discounted prices on tickets. Visit their website for more information.

FALL HOMESCHOOL DAY AT MAHAFFIE STAGECOACH STOP
September 13th, 2012.
More details will be available closer to the date.

SILVER DOLLAR CITY'S 12th ANNUAL HOMESCHOOL WEEKEND
October 6 - 7, 2012
Provide the foundation for exciting educational opportunities during this 2-day event.
Visit their website for more information.

POST SECONDARY FAIR FOR HOME-SCHOOLED STUDENTS
October 12, 2012 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Woodcrest Chapel, 2201 Nifong, Columbia, MO.
This fair is a wonderful opportunity for home schooled students and parents to visit with many different universities, four-year colleges, community colleges, and vocational-technical/trade schools at one time.
Click here to download the flyer.
For more information, contact Ron and Brenda Crowe, past home-schooling parents of three at rcrowe@ktis.net 
or at their home-based business number 573-642-0659.


Recurring Events and Activities

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION HOMESCHOOL FIELD TRIPS
Various dates and times (usually the third Wednesday or Thursday of each month, 
check the Calendar of events each month for the exact date, time, and each month's topic).
MDC NW Regional Headquarters on the campus of MWSU in St. Joseph, MO.
They will have a limit of 45 participants at each program.  
Parents attend with children.  Age recommendation: 6 years through 18. 
All programs will be held at the  Enter campus from the north on Faron Street. MDC is the first building on your left AFTER the baseball complex and pond. All programs are FREE.
Please RSVP to Shelly at 816-271-3111 ext. 1442 or via email Shelly.Cox@mdc.mo.gov
Please make sure that you sign up early...programs frequently reach full capacity. Also, please cancel your reservation if you find you are unable to attend so that other families will have the opportunity.

REMINGTON NATURE CENTER ACTIVITIES
Friday Feeding Frenzy - come help feed the fish every Friday at 10:30 a.m.
Second Saturday Kids Quest - second Saturday of every month (except holidays) at 1:00 p.m.
Last Saturday Craft Club - last Saturday of every month (except holidays) at 1:00 p.m.
Please RSVP to 816-271-5499 if you plan to attend.
Check our Calendar of Events for more details or visit stjoenaturecenter.info.

ROLLING HILLS LIBRARY FUNDAY MONDAY CLUB
Fourth Monday of every month August through May, 1:30 p.m., Belt Branch, St. Joseph, MO
Seating is limited so advance registration is required. To sign-up, call 816-232-5479.
Visit my.calendars.net/rollinghills for more information.

HOMESCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL AND BASKETBALL TEAMS
Anyone wanting information about girls volleyball and basketball teams can contact Rachel at revelationch.4@juno.com. They will be hosting several fund raisers this summer to raise money for nationals, gym fees, jerseys and referee fees. If you are interested in being in charge of a fundraiser, have ideas for a fundraiser, or any other ideas or suggestions for volleyball or basketball, please contact Rachel at Revelationch.4@juno.com.

HOMESCHOOL MATH CLASSES AND TUTORING
Certified teacher Tom Hund will be offering the following math classes for the 2012-2013 school year in his home (1615 County Line Road, St. Joseph, Missouri, 64505) at group rates:  Algebra 1, Geometry, Advanced Math, and possibly Algebra II.  He is contemplating offering a New Testament Greek class if there is enough interest. Classes begin at the end of August.  
Tom also offers individual math tutoring for all ages.  
If you have any questions or would like to know more, please email Tom Hund or call him at 232-2278.

HOMESCHOOL ART CLASSES
Art Teacher Tracy Porter, with 18 years of experience teaching elementary/middle school art 
is offering to teach art lessons to homeschool students.
A variety of art lessons will be taught, utilizing several medias and covering a range of elements and principles of art.  Lessons will include focus on master artists, as well as integration of other subject matters: science, history, music, literature, and more.  Each lesson will be finished within a two hour time frame.  If there is extra time, we may have time for drawing lessons or other short projects.  
Cost:  $10 per child per lesson
Supplies to bring are noted for each lesson, some supplies will be provided.
If interested, contact Tracy at tporter3@gmail.com or call 816-591-5679
Class size will be limited to 15 students, ideal age is grades 2-8
 Ms. Porter needs a location for classes.  If you would like to host classes in your home, you will receive a discounted lesson price. 

HOMESCHOOL DISCOUNT SKI PASS FOR SNOW CREEK
Anyone who is interested in purchasing one can visit skisnowcreek.com/school_programs.html or contact Candise at candisescrew@sbcglobal.net.
Mondays will be HOMESCHOOL DAYS AT SNOW CREEK this coming season! Each Monday, home school groups will gather at Snow Creek to enjoy the wonderful sport of skiing/snowboarding and to connect with their fellow home-schoolers. The price is very affordable and includes lift tickets, rental equipment, lessons, and a lunch. 

HELP NEEDED FOR THE ANNUAL HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE FAIR
Candise Schmidling needs your help collecting labels to earn money/prizes. Please help with this easy fundraiser by cutting out and saving these labels: 
1. Box Tops for Education (little squares on major brands of some food: cereal, fruit snacks, Chex, etc.) 
2. Campbell’s soup labels (only need the bar code) 
3. Best Choice labels (only need the bar code)
Turn them in to Candise any time of year. We appreciate your assistance!
4. Also, she gets 5% back from Office Depot purchases if you give them the homeschool ID: 70215012. Print this number off and take it with you so she can get credit whenever you check out at the store.